Photos courtesy of Xtreme Gymnastics
Xtreme Gymnastics just celebrated a major milestone: 30 years in Scottsdale helping kids grow strong in body and mind. The longtime community favorite recently marked the occasion with a high-energy birthday bash filled with flips, fun, and a room full of returning alumni who got their start at the beloved gym.
Aimee Burton started in ballet at age 6, following in her older sister’s footsteps. Little did she know that getting kicked out of ballet for doing handstands and cartwheels would lead to the role she’s held for 29 years.
Burton is the director and owner of Xtreme Gymnastics in Scottsdale, where kids are inspired to get fit and learn in an exciting environment. Its variety of programs helps children develop the strength and self-esteem they need to succeed.
She began teaching gymnastics part-time in March 1993. “I loved it, quit my job, went full-time, and that was it. I never looked back,” says Burton.
HART Principles in Practice
“HART principles are what set us apart,” Burton says. “It’s not only about gymnastics. We try to instill character-building along with all the fun of doing gymnastics.”
Burton explains that every month, the gymnastics coaches focus on a different HART principle: holding hard work, attitude, responsibility, and teamwork. Honesty in word and action. A positive attitude has dramatic effects and is contagious. Responsibility is encouraged by empowering kids to make choices, positive or negative. And teamwork is being united in developing confident, healthy, responsible children. Each coach takes opportunities throughout the month to point out examples of kids exhibiting a HART principle.
“As they get further along in gymnastics, kids realize recognizing strengths and weaknesses helps develop the growth mindset,” says Burton.
Besides character-building, gymnastics naturally promotes physical development. “The movement across the body’s center line divides it left to right, and crossing the midline promotes communication from one side of the brain to the other,” Burton says.
“In all of our programs, we deliberately encourage upside down and crossing the midline more than most activities. It’s been scientifically proven to improve kids’ academic performance.”
Gymnastics for Little Ones
Xtreme Gymnastics coaches encourage children ages 2 to 4 to move in various ways, helping them learn to roll, swing, jump, and balance while enhancing their social awareness.
“Kids are naturally curious and energetic, and they explore the world in many ways,” says Burton. “These types of fun and safe ‘get the wiggles out’ classes support participating in group activities and build the comfort of going upside down and crossing the midline.”
Gymnastics for Ages 5 and Older
Beginning at age 5, kids move through balance beams, bars, trampolines, and more, learning key gymnastics skills.
“From age 5 and up, you’re not creating new pathways,” Burton says. “You’re making the pathways go faster but not making the pathways that were made during the ages of 2 to 4.”
If kids have the interest or natural ability, they can join a competitive gymnastics team next.
Turning Energy into Ambition
Ninja Zone classes help energetic kids from ages 3 to 12 move through a fusion of obstacle training, martial arts, gymnastics, and freestyle movement. Gym coaches help “ninjas” channel their energy and learn to scale, spin, roll, flip, and kick.
“Ninja Zone is geared toward capturing boys’ attention,” explains Burton. “It has the same benefits for any child but registers better with boys and their parents.”
Burton says Xtreme Xplosion is the next step up from the Ninja Zone. Students move through exercises uniquely designed to build strength, balance, and explosive power and develop and channel their athletic abilities.
“It’s development before athleticism,” says Burton. “Several students are top in their sports locally and have gone on to play in the NCAA. It’s a way of supplementing whatever sport they’re taking, giving them an edge. We have to lead in a way of using fun that you can’t get using a treadmill or running laps on a track.”
Fit-N-Fun Day Camps
Fit-N-Fun Day Camps promote health and fitness while kids have a blast. Each week, children ages 3 to 12 will enjoy gymnastics, trampoline, group challenge activities, obstacle courses, team sports, relay races, inflatables, and more.
Spring, summer, and break Fit-N-Fun Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with drop-off half- or full-day options. Meanwhile, summer camp registration is open.
“Our staff is high energy, USA Gymnastics Safety Certified, and come with complete background checks,” says Burton.
Xtreme Gymnastics follows the same calendar as the Scottsdale Unified School District so kids can exercise and learn during summer, fall, winter, and spring breaks. Families can also take advantage of Parents’ Night Out and birthday parties, open gyms, and more.
“I’m looking forward to our continued growth and how we do it,” says Burton. “It’s not what we do, it’s how we do it.”
Xtreme Gymnastics is located at 14000 N. Hayden Rd. #102, in Scottsdale. For more information, visit xtremegymnastics.com or call 480-596-3543.